Why is the Bible Your Authority. (Messiah, believer, Kingdom, prophecy)

[Jrhockney]

Originally Posted by jimmiej

The fact is, your ala carte approach to the Bible is dangerous. It allows you to make God in your own image.

Jesus did not reveal a different God than the OT depicts.

To some degree, I agree with this point, but Men who claimed Holy Spirit inspiration decided what would be included in the Bible and there are many today who claim the same thing but do not agree with it because they think parts of it make God into a monster and perhaps in violation of his own laws. Perhaps God was just fulfilling his plan or showing us what its like to live under the law in the OT, but at the same time, I have a hard time picturing the same Jesus in the NT telling Joshua or King Saul to go mercilessly slaughter entire tribes of people.

Looking back on the priests in the Counsel of Nicaea and the Third Counsel of Carthage who decided on the Bible do you think you or even most of the modern day church would agree with every belief those priests held? What about those people in the Protestant Reformation who took books out of the Catholic Bible? Were they under the guidance of the Holy Spirit too? Who decides? While the ala carte approach can be disastrous in the wrong hands (or even the lay person hands really), the all or nothing approach seems highly historically and logically questionable. I understand the need for an rudder or anchor for someones faith, but the more I think about it, this ship called Christianity just seems a bit too large for this particular rudder.

Sadly, its the only real rudder we have aside from the Church, the Holy Spirit, and Mankind, but while much of it seems a bit rusty and over used, I think the part of the rudder that says: Love God, Jesus died for your sins, and love your neighbor as yourself will always stir the ship well enough to get to its destination.

[Heartsong]

Originally Posted by Jrhockney

To some degree, I agree with this point, but Men who claimed Holy Spirit inspiration decided what would be included in the Bible and there are many today who claim the same thing but do not agree with it because they think parts of it make God into a monster and perhaps in violation of his own laws. Perhaps God was just fulfilling his plan or showing us what its like to live under the law in the OT, but at the same time, I have a hard time picturing the same Jesus in the NT telling Joshua or King Saul to go mercilessly slaughter entire tribes of people.

Looking back on the priests in the Counsel of Nicaea and the Third Counsel of Carthage who decided on the Bible do you think you or even most of the modern day church would agree with every belief those priests held? What about those people in the Protestant Reformation who took books out of the Catholic Bible? Were they under the guidance of the Holy Spirit too? Who decides? While the ala carte approach can be disastrous in the wrong hands (or even the lay person hands really), the all or nothing approach seems highly historically and logically questionable. I understand the need for an rudder or anchor for someones faith, but the more I think about it, this ship called Christianity just seems a bit too large for this particular rudder.

Sadly, its the only real rudder we have aside from the Church, the Holy Spirit, and Mankind, but while much of it seems a bit rusty and over used, I think the part of the rudder that says: Love God, Jesus died for your sins, and love your neighbor as yourself will always stir the ship well enough to get to its destination.

Wow - such a very good post. I could not have said it better myself. Thank you!

[Jrhockney]

Originally Posted by Heartsong

Wow - such a very good post. I could not have said it better myself. Thank you!

Thanks Heartsong. You have a warm heart and your encouragement is always welcome. I only wish I could post with more certainty

[jimmiej]

Originally Posted by Heartsong

The anointing you received from Christ lives in you. You don't need anyone to teach you something else. Instead, Christ's anointing teaches you about everything. His anointing is true and contains no lie. So live in Christ as he taught you to do. 1John 2:27

So, the Scripture about teachers & pastors is not applicable, but 1 John 2:27 is?

[Heartsong]

Originally Posted by jimmiej

So, the Scripture about teachers & pastors is not applicable, but 1 John 2:27 is?

That is for you to decide for yourself. There appears to be a paradox going on in this situation. I know what I believe. I do not dictate to others what to believe - their faith is between them and Christ.

[Terryj]

I have always wonder why a person believe that "their" book is the only authority when there are a number of "Holy Texts". If logic applies; then if one person believes that the other Holy Text are false then it is likely that their Holy Text may be false also.
There is the sacred text of Hinduism, the sacred text of Zoroastrianism and many more, are not these Holy Text just as valid? Were you aware the Zoroastrianism had a huge influence on the development of Judaism and Christianity.

So which book has "authority"; the one your attached to, the one you give authoriy to.

[DNick]

I believe the Bible has authority, because, a group given authority, by Jesus, looked at all the books, and letters, all the righting, and looked and found what went with what they were taught, that lined up with the traditions of teachings taught to them, all the way down to through to the Apostles. And THAT is why I believe it has authority.

[Huckleberry3911948]

lots of truth in it. it was written by the inspired and holy.
on the other hand if i just rely upon my own situational ethics, i end up a dirt bag don't i?

[jimmiej]

Originally Posted by Heartsong

That is for you to decide for yourself. There appears to be a paradox going on in this situation. I know what I believe. I do not dictate to others what to believe - their faith is between them and Christ.

Wel, I was asking about you, but I know your answer. I believe both. The 1 John passage is saying something different than you say, imo.

[MysticPhD]

Originally Posted by jimmiej

Wel, I was asking about you, but I know your answer. I believe both. The 1 John passage is saying something different than you say, imo.

This kind of double think is prevalent among literalists to explain the myriad contradictions . . . rather than eliminate the contradictions by understanding the true nature of God as revealed by Christ. Black is white and white is black . . . because God can do that . . . Bah humbug.